Results of 2008 Survey on Health Information Exchange:
Impact on Health Care

  SURVEY RESULTS SHOW GROWING IMPACT ON LOWERING COSTS AND IMPROVING CARE

HealthBridge has been able to deliver clinical test results to physicians at a price of $0.12/result—less than one sixth of what it would cost without its exchange network in place.  Contributing to the savings are avoided redundant tests and elimination of paperwork and related clerical and handling costs.  The impact is not just improved quality, but a substantial $12.4 million in annual savings for area providers. READ MORE…

A majority (69%) of the fully operational exchange efforts (29/42) report reductions in health care costs.

In 2008, nineteen operational initiatives reported that their efforts had resulted in reduced staff time, eleven reported there were decreased dollars spent on redundant tests, five documented a reduction in patient admissions, and five initiatives decreased cost of care for chronic care patients.

To read about how one operational health information exchange measures their financial success, click here.

Michiana Health Information Network performed a return on investment analysis of adopting its secure web-based messaging and electronic health record systems in a large 69 physician member practice.  The results:  10 staff FTEs for chart pulling and scanning were eliminated, leading to a projected 5 year savings of $1.3 million.  READ MORE…

About half (52%) of fully operational exchange efforts (22/42) report positive impacts on health care delivery.

In 2008, 16 reported improved access to test results; 13 reported improved quality of practice life; nine reported decreased support staff; eight reported improved compliance with chronic care and prevention guidelines; six reported better care outcomes for patients; four reported a decrease in prescribing errors; and four reported increased recognition of disease outbreaks.

For the first time, a majority (69%) of operational exchange efforts (29/42) report a positive financial return on their investment (ROI) for their participating stakeholders.

Thirteen operational initiatives reported they were able to quantify an ROI for hospitals, nine reported an ROI for physicians practices, six reported an ROI for health plans, and five for independent laboratories.

To read about how one operational health information exchange has delivered ROI, click here.